The Mecca Defence Pact is facing its first major test as Saudi Arabia comes under repeated Houthi missile and drone attacks. Pakistan and Turkiye have backed Riyadh diplomatically, but neither has launched a direct military response, raising questions about how the pact’s collective-defence clause works in practice. Mecca Defence Pact

China has expelled senior generals Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli from the Communist Party and military after investigations found alleged disloyalty, corruption and serious disciplinary violations, marking another major change at the top of the People’s Liberation Army. Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli expelled from party and military